Means for separating suspended matter from gases



y w. A. SCHMIDT. MEANS FOR SEPARATING SUSPENDED MATTER FROM GASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR, 5, 19|3.y

1,343,285. Patented June 15, 1920,

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`wnNEssEs INVNTR v///' Y Wal/5^ 0- SM BY Y l @jt/WW ATTORNEY To all whomit may 'and 4State of California,

UNITED STATES PATENT orf-riolen;

WALTEE. A'. sCHMInT, or Los ANGELES, CALIEoENIA, 'AssIGNoE ToINTERNATIONAL PRECIPITATION COMPANY, -E Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA,

CALIEoENIA.

MEANS EoE. SEEAEATING concern.'

Be it known that I, WALTER A. SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, inthe county ofv Los Angeles have invented anew and useful 'Means for Separating Sus-y pended Matter from Gases, ofwhich the folgases carrying A trodes or tinctly diiierent kinds.

lowing is a specification.-

This invention'relates to improvements in the art of separatingsuspended particlefs from gaseous bodies by electric means and isapplicable, for example, to the separation from the gaseous bodies oflsuch suspended matter as dust, smoke, acid, mist, chemical7 It is `wellknown that such suspended particles can be separated from the gaseousbodies to the action o ahigh potential electrical discharge. Thisoperation usually consists in passing the gases through an apparatus inwhich are contained elecseries of electrodes of two dis- The electrodesof one lkind are of such a nature--as will facilitate electric dischargefrom the-electrodev .into the gases,while the electrodes` of the otherkind are of such formas not to cause a discharge to take place fromtheir sur- These two kinds of electrodes are placed opposite'to eachother, so that high potential stress an electric disfrom one electrodeto the v faces.

usually under a charge passes other, the direction of flow of the ions,comi ing on this operation contains posing this discharge, ,being fromythe electrod facilitating discharge from its surface tothenon-discharging electrode. When a gaseous body containing suspendedparticlcs is passed through this discharge, the suspended particles arefirst given an electrostatc charge. from the impact of the ions upon theparticles. These charged particles then heinginan 'electric field arecaused to migrate in -the directionof the electric field and can bemade. to precipitate upon the electrode.

The-apparatus heretofore used for carryv electrodes of the'two kindsabove described juxtaposition to each other, so that the electricfieldin whichthe discharge takes place` the suspended' he v gasesundertreatcharged pa r'- carried by Speeication of Letters .Patent andplaced in'y SUSPENDED MATTEE EEoM GAsEs.-

Patented/lune 15,1320.

Applieautn mea March 5, 1913. serial Nq. 751,995.

A CoEroEATIoN- 0E l I v 'v ticlesto migrate to the electrodes', there'-to be precipitated. f

This invention relates to improvements bo/th in the means of obtainingthe discharge for charglng thesu-spended particles and in providingseparate means for removing these chargedparticles from the gases undertreatment.

One object of improved means for charging the suspended particles.

Another object vof the present invention is to provide distinct orseparate means or systems for effecting the charging of the suspendedparticles" andfor removing the charged particles from the gases undertreatment, so that each of such operations `may be performed under themost tions.

The electrodes heretofore used to facilitate electric discharge havebeen given sharp points, such as .metallic'points, or a large number ofextremely fine points as in pubescent electrodes, or else a series ofvery thin edges as in scaly electrodes, such as elec-` scaly electrodes,such as have heretoforebeen the electric field intensity at thevemployed,

points is readily raised tothe critical in- `tensity above whichionization of the gas adjacent to the point, takes place. I havefound-that by using a plain wire or/other coducting filament ofsufficiently small diameter and by'maintaining suiicientelectric stressbetween the electrodes that the electric field intensity at the surfaceof the wire can be raised above the critical intensity and that it is,therefore, possible to obtain a satisfactory' discharge from theelectrodes under the operating conditions of the apparatus whenfthe orscaly electrodes are replaced by fine wire or fila-mentary electrodes.By utilizing an electrode of this character a very uniform y discharge,overthe entire'length of the wire, can be obtained.` As t e entlresurface ofl 'the wire is discharging it is also possible to obtain amuch great'ercurrent. flow olf of the electrode than could beobtainedwith isolated points asin an ordinary pointed electrode. Electrodes ofthis character also have eicient condipointed, pubescent through strongelectrostatic fields set up by cipitate upon `the electrodes.

v by flames,

.and 'so forth.

l 3.5 'In the'ordinary procedurefor separatingI4 electrodes.

the decided advantage of being cheaper in I have lfound that in somecases it is a rather easy matter to electrically charge the suspendedparticles, but thatit 1s more-difii cult to cause these chargedparticles to pre- Under these conditionsv the particles may. passentirely through the apparatus, as electrically charged particles,passing through a succession of electrlc fields, such as abovedescribed, without lbeing forced on to the electrodes., In such cases -Ihave found" that an electrostatic field formed by extended surfacesAis'of great value. By usin two extended surfaces, neither of which'acilitates electric discharge, a, very intense electhe electrodes, Ifnow the charged particles -be passed through this electrostatic fieldthey will be subjectedto a sufficiently strong electric field .for asufficient length of time to cause them to be forced over totheelectrodes.

Electrodes of this. latter Acharacter are also of great valueforremoving ,charged particles from gases, whether they .be charged-in thesame or-different apparatus, or whether .they be charged as abovedescribed or by any other means. .They might even be charged throughionization caused suspended particles from gaseous bodies, with the aido`f my invention, the action. is

as follows: The. gases are passedthrough an i apparatus centaming twodistinct series of electrodes, which for conveniencemay 3 be termed charing electrodes and precipitating he ases first pass through theele'ctric field pro uced'by the charging electrodesl'- These may consistof ionizing electrodes and non-discharging electrodes. I n passingbetween .these charging electrodes,

the gases are subjected to the influence of .the electricdischargetaking place between --of the charged 4particles ma the electrodes, andthe particles suspended in the gases become electrically charged. Thesecharged particles then migrate in the electric lfield between theelectrodes. Some be 'caused to 4preci itate upon the-electro es, while-some :may e carried tout of the influence .of the electric field by'the advancin gases. before they reachl the electrodes. hese particlesJare then '1 `carried 1 along by fthe, gases 'ascharged particles, andthe gases .containing these charged particles are then passed the@precipitatingelectrodes and here the fcharged particles are all forced'on to the by incandescentA so'l ids, X-rays,l

l tween the electrodes 2 and 3.is received be- `tween theelectrodes 4and 3 and the embodimentsof my invention and referring thereto:

Figure 1 is a plan the invention.

Fi 2 is a vertical section thereof, onlineview of one form of Figs. .3to 8 are diagrams showing other arrangements of the electrodes.

Figs.- 9 to-11 are horizontal 'sections of the charging electrodesshowing modifications of the ionizing electrode.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a suitable which the gas to be treated isforced or conducted. Supported in .thisgconduit are one or moreelectrodes 2 adapted, when charged to suitable electric potential,-`toproduce chamber or conduit 1 is provided through i ionization in the gasadjacent -thereto and to electrically charge the suspended particles insuch gas., Oppositethe charging' electrodes, 2, are electrodes 3,Whi'chaid in maintaining the electrostatic tension andv'the re y sultantionization' adjacent to electrodes 2.

Electrodes 2 and 3 are positioned s that the gas to Abe treated passesbetween them, as indicated by the arrows. electrodes 3 are shown-asextended, precipitating portions 3 between which are In 1 the ,orming.arranged electrodes 4 which are charged oppositely to electrodes 3v soas to .maintalm a strong electrostatic field between said electrodes,these electrodes bein so positioned 'that the gas to be treateda erpassing bei 1 'charged particles in such gas are, by reason v of theelectrostatic field between said 'electrodes, 4 and 3,causied to-migrate-or move toward electrode portions 3. Electrodes 3 maybegrounded, the electrostatic field being maintained between the roundedand.

charged .electrodes 2 and 4. uitable connections, for example, by meansyof'wires 16 and T17, are madev to the electrodes 2 and l fner 19connected to receive current fromV l any alternating current supply'circuit, and

.trodes and the electrodes 3 and 3', the eleca rectifier 20 1ntheconnections from lthe f with groundconnelctions to complete the cir-`cuit through electrodes v3.

E1ectrode2 is of such a nature or form as'H 'l2-l vdischarge of`electricitytherefrom into' the 'to facilitate or promoteionization, andthe adjacent gasand lto the suspended particles inthe/gas, -A form o felectrode which "I vhave found especially suitable for this pur-7 p'oseis shown in Fig. 2, consi-stingof a finel strip, presentin filament canthen consist l .wire, lessm'diameter,

to the gas surrounding the same.

' opposing electrodes which is suspended, froml said wire being.

suitable supporting means,

exposed directly plain or bare so as to be In place of a fine wire, itis also ossible to use any conducting filament', s cientlyv fine. Thisfilamentmay be'round or-of any other cross'section presentingv acontinuous sharp or narrow edge-adapted to facilitate discharge; forexample, it maybe a Hat filament, as shown at-12 in Fig.` 9, having its,edges' presented toward the otherelectrodes 3; or as shown at 13 in Fig.10 the ionizing electrode may be a flat strip having sharp edges 13presented toward the opposite electrodes Two or more of the fine wiresor filaments may be placed near together in a plane extendingtransversely to the opposite' electrodes 3, as shown at 14 n Fig. 1I,the effect being lthen similar to that of a fiat more. intensedischarging f orl portions facing they 3. Wheneverthelmaterial undertreatment is, in itself,jcond\1ct ing, as for instance when thetreatment consists ofprecipitating sulfuric acid mist, the

of'a non-conducting material, as the precipitated material will form aconducting film' over the surface of thefelectrode.

Electrodes of this character can be supported in any convenient mannerand can be it most convenient held in 'any' convenient or advantageousposition. TheyA can be held. taut either by the use of' a tensioningweight or tensioning spring or any similar method. 'I`have:found toplace theelectrode in a `vertical position, the electrode beingsupported "at the top, ypassedthrough an insulatedspacer 6 at vthebottom zand held taut by a weight, 7,'fa`steneiiA at the lower end ofthe electrode; I have, however, fused springs for tensioningltheelectrodes and.:v have' held and fastened the electrodes in numerousdifferent ways,

withinthe scope of this'invention. Theiim ,'sulated spacer Gcons'titutesretaining means'. for preventing lateral movement of theelecf tredewires 2.

The electrodes 3, the portions 3 thereof which are used as tbe/ dustcollecting means, are preferably 'such extended surfaces, consisting,

for'example, of-metal plates, andthe elec` IQd'eS are .alsofpr'eferablyextended surfaces such las' parallelto -thei metal plates approximatelyelectrode portions 3', sofas to. produce a uniformly distributed .fieldof eatintensity without discharging action. cans'. such as hopperI 18,may e providedv for. receiving vthe, precipitate from the precipitating'electrodes." p.'

Theopera Y 'Ilfiegasfto' be treated is conducted through i for example,one-twentieth inch or 1 electrodes 2' being charged to suiiicient 4poandmore particulaiy 'i 1 electrodes may be positioned the space between theelectrodes 2 and3, the

tential to produceionization the surroundf `ing gas, 'so as to chargethe particles suspended in the gas. The' gas then passes into theelectrodes 4' and 3 and lthe space between is thereA subjected to astrong electrostatic -field forcing the 'the electrodes 3 separated fromthe electrodes'3.

Should th charged particles toward and.A causing them to be gas andprecipitated on v first series o f charging electrodes not be sufiicientto charge all of the suspended particles, or should all of the suspendedparticles not be removed by the lfirst series of charging electrodes andprecipitating electrodes, several series of either" kind may be used,another, or any number may l and so arranged pended 4parti les arealternate be employed subjected that the gasesand the lsus-4 the seriesfollowing one l 'to the influence of the charging field andtheprecipitating'. field, all of which arrangements fall, within thescope of this invention.

of electrodes suitable for producing such re cated action in the gas isshown in Fig. lwherein ionizingl electrodes 2 and in-dischargingprecipitating electrodes Llfare'arranged alternately in the path of thegas; with opposing electrodes 3 of opposite polarity.

Any desired number of 2 iiiay be provided for each lset electrodes,

Apu arrangement ionizing electrodes of charging provided actingsuccessively on the gas'before it passes to the precipitating electrodes4. Similarly the precipitating electrodes 4 ma be divided as shown inFig. 4. s

. he electrode portions 3 and'iV may, if convenient, be made ofseparatepFlates or ex- Htendednconductors, as shown in Fig. 3 illustrating anarrange-` mentwherein two ionizing electrodes 2 are ig. -5, said'plates4 being connected toreceive electric po ltential similar in sign.The charges `onthe .plates3 and 3 are ,in this case not necesv sarily.of the same potential. -As' shown in Fig. -6 the stream of gas afterpassing a single set of charging elec-I trodes, may. e divided so as topass rthrough aplurality of-xelectrostatic fields arranged in.,parallel; and in -that case, thev electrode or electrodes 9, which arein the line of flow `from the ionizing electrodes 2, `may be chargedopposit ly trodes.: l y

Anyofthe 'aboye 'arrangements of. the

a. succession of similar` 'indiiro to'said ionizing elecfor a horizontali251 each 'h'arging electrode' what may betermed 'i y isc i 'vidualdischarge zoneseixtendin parallel to' `suspended lparticles from gasesby electric means, an electrode for discharging elec,- tricity into thegases, to chargesaid particles, said electrode being a rectilinearly exn tended bare conductor whose discharging pprtion is substantiallystraight'in the direc-v tion of linear extension of said member andwhich has a sufficiently 7`sharp curvature 'transverse to such linearextension, to pro-- duce ionization in the adjacent gas, under fsooperati-ng conditions of the apparatus. p v

.2. In an apparatus for the separation'of suspended matter Yfrom gasesby electric means, charging electrodes comprislng a discharging'electrode and -a non-discharging electrode, 'said discharging electrodebeing a linearly extended; member. having a aischarging surfacecontinuous in the direction of linear extension ofsaid member, and pre'-senting sharp curvature transverse to such direction and anon-dischargilig electrode presenting an extended surface vparallelI tothe direction of extension of said discharg-l ing-electrode.A Y -4 y Inan apparatus for the separation/bf suspended particles from gasesA byelectric means, a charging electrode consisting of a conducting filamentsufficiently fine to maintain, under operating conditions' of saidapparatus, an electric 'field intensityat its sur face, sufiicient tocause ionization ofthe gas adjacent to lsuch electrode, thereby causinga discharge of electricity from the lelectrode into fthe surroundinggas. v

4. In 'an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles-fromgases'by electric4 means, 'a charging electrode consisting of aconducting wire ofa sufliciently small i1 a'm-l eter to maintain, underoperating condltlons of said apparatus, an electricfield intenslty attheY surface of said wire, sufficient to cause ionization, of the-gasadjacent to such elecv trode, therebycausing a discharge of elec--tricit/y from 'the electrode into the surround'- .lng gas.

5. In an suspended particles from gases by electric means, a chargingelectrode consisting of, a conducting filament sufficientlyfineftomamtain,under operatin conditions of said laplparatus, an electric eldintensity at itssurface, sufficient tocause ionization ofthe gas gadjacent` to such electrode, thereby causing a discharge of electricityfrom the electrode into thesurrounding gas, andmeans for tensioning saidfilame'ntto',holdit'taut.r

6. In an apparatus forthe separation of suspended particles fromgasesiby eleftric `sisting of a filament extending apparatus for'theseparation of'V means, a charging electrode consisting of a* smoothsurfaced conducting filament" sufiif4 ciently fine `to maintain, 1 underoperating conditions f said a intensity. at its sur sufficientl to causeionization of the gas adjacent'to such elecs .trode, thereby causinga'discharge of`electricity from the lelectrode into the.surroundfparatus, an electric field", cace,

ing gas,- and means for passing the gases carrying. the suspendedparticles past said charglng elect ode to utilize saidsdischarge toelectrically e to' be separated.

arge the suspended particles Y* 7. In an apparatus for electricalsepara- 'l tion of. suspendedyparticles.from gases, a

collecting electrode having a substantially plane surface and a.discharge velectrode consaid plane surface of said electrode.

8. In an apparatus fo-relec'tric'al separation ofl suspended particlesfrom gases, a

parallel to collecting electrode having a substantially i plane surfaceand a discharge electrode coul sistingof a fine metallic Wire,lextending parallel t'o said plane' surface of said electrode. l, l.. f

9. Inan apparatus for Jelectrical separa? tion of suspended particlesfrom' gases, -a collecting electrode having a substantially verticalsurface, a support, a discharge electrode consisting cfa fine Wire hung.from -said support so as -to-eXtend parallel to said surface, and 'a'Weight on sald wire toten-f.

sion ,the same -andwain member engaging said wire tohold'the same fromlateral displacement.

insulated retaining p 1 0.' `In an apparatus for electrical Aseparationof suspendedl particles from gases,

a -collecting electrode Vhaving a substantially plane vertical surface,asupport, a discharge electrode consisting of a fine Wire yhung'fromsaid support so as to extend parallelto said I surface, and a Weightonsaid Wireto'tenl -1 sion the same. 4

1l. 'In an apparatus for electrical separation ofsuspended particlesfrom gases, a

vertically extending collecting. electrode, a

'support insulated" therefrom, an ionizing electrode formed as afilament suspendedf `from said support, a Weight on the lower end ofsaid filament, and retaining means engaging said filament lto lpreventlateral movement. 1 j

12. An apparatus for 'electrical 'separation of suspended `particleslfrom gases, comprising va set ofV charging electrodes, .a set`of fprecipitating electrodes, means for applying unldirectlonal potentialdifference to the electrodes of'each set, and means forpass-l 'i 'ingthe gases to be treated, first through the set of charging electrodesand then through the set of-precipitating electrodes;'ft'he.set ofkchf'trging electrodes: comprising a dischargeclectrode adapted tofacilitatel d is- .charge and an opposing electrode'adapt'ed uchargingelectrodes formed With-substan-l trodes formed with to minimizedischarge, so as tol char e the particles of the gas with chargessimllar to 'that of thedischarge electrode; and the set of precipitatinelectrodes comprising opposing electro es, all adapted to minimizedischarge so as to produce `a non-discharging electrostatic field forprecipitation of the charged particles passing thereto from the chargingelectrodes. l

` 13. An'apparatus for the separation of suspended particles from.gases, comprising a set of charging electrodes, a set of precipitatingelectrodes, means for applying unidirectional potential difference tothe electrodes of each set, and means for passing the-gases to betreated, first through the setv of charging electrodes and then throughthe set of precipitating, electrodes, said .set of charging electrodescomprisingl discharging electrodes formed as finegwires andnon-distially plane surfaces; and said set of'precipitatingelectrodes-comprising opposing elec.

4 substantially plane surfaces.

14. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended `particles fromgases by electric means, a set of`opposing non-discharging electrodesandrmeans for applying high potential difference tothe Yopposingnon-discharging electrodes, for producing an electrostatic field between"suchppposin'g nondischarging electrodes. and meansfor con-y ducting thegases. carrying electrically charged suspended particles throughsuchelectrostatic field.l

15. In an apparatus for the separation of l suspended particles fromgases by electric means, electrodes-having extended surfaces,

placed approximately parallel to each other, means for applying.highwpotential difference to such opposing electrodes forproducing .anelectrostatic field and means for conducting the gas carrying'electrically chargedl suspended particles through suoi electrostaticfield.

' means, vthe combination lof a charging elec' 16. In .an apparatus for.the separationof suspended particles from gases by electric largelyextended surfaces as compared withthe charging electrode, means forapplying high potential difference to .the opposing electrodes of saidset for producing an electrostatic field, and means for conducting thegases carrying the suspended particles past the charging electrode 'andthen through the said'electrostatic field.

18. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles fromlgases by electric means, the combination of a charging elec-- trode,aset of opposing, non-discharging electrodes and means for applying high(po- 4tential ldifference to such opposing, noncharging electrodes forproducing an elecl trostatic field independent of the chargingelectrode, andmeans for conducting the gases carrying the suspendedparticles past the charging electrode to electrically' charge thesuspended particles, --and then through the said electrostatic lfield toremove the'.

charged particlesfrom the gases.

19. In an apparatus for the separation of suspended particles from gasesby jelectric means, the combination of a number of charging electrodesand a set ofopposing, non-discharging electrodes and means for applyinghigh potential difference to such,

opposlng, nondischarging electrodes for producmg electrostatic fieldsvindependent of the charging electrodes, and means for conducting thegases carrying the suspended -particles past the charglng electrodes andthrough thesaid electrostatic fields, the electrodesbeing so arrangedthat the gases along with the suspended particles are alternatelysubjected to the influence 'of the charging electrodes and theelectrostatic fields.

20.`An' apparatus -for electric separation of suspended matter fromgaseous fluids,

comprising a' charging electrode ,having a flexible ionizing part, meansfor tensioning said ionizing part, and surface member. c

21.,In an apparatus foi' electric separation of suspended matter fromgaseous fluids, a charging electrode, .the ionizing part of whichconsists of a Wire, and neans for maintaining said Wire under tension'in its longitudinal direction.

22. The method of separating suspended particles from gases whichconsists in su jecting the gas to an ionizing discharge of electricitywhile in a relatively weak electrostatic field, to' charge the'suspended para collecting field.

ticles, and then 'passing the gas 'through a relatively strongelectrostatic field.

23. The method of separating suspended particles from gases whichconsists in subjecting the gas to an ionizingdis'charge of electricity-While in a relatively .weak electrostatic field, t charge the suspendedparticles, to remove the larger and coarserv particles, and then passingthe gas throughi a relatively stronger electrostatic field, to removethe smaller and finer particles.

24. The method of separating suspendedl A matter from gases, Awhichconsists in subjecting thegas to the actionof a relativelyparticles fWhile .saidfie Y gecting the gas tothe action of. `a relatively Weakelectrostatic field, discharging electric#V ityinto said gas to chargethe suspended 25. Animprovementin means for remov- I ing suspendedparticles from gaseous andfluid bodies comprising "spaced apart groundedelectrodes, and an active electrode v i placed between the grounded.electrodes and' providedwith a pluralit, of spaced .apart stream.

26. That improvement inthe art of-proattenuated electrode mem rs sogrouped as to direct the.; electromagnetic 'waves toward the oncomingparticle ladenv ga'seous or fluid cal discharge zones extending parallelto each 'other in directions intersecting the flow path of the stream,each zone havingfsub- .Y stantially similar `discharge characteristics vthrou hout"its. len f the art o producing electrical precipitation ofparticles from fluid or gaseous streams, the combination of opposingelectrode systems including collecting and dis- V"charge electrodes,said' discharge electrode having-a longitudinally extending dischargeproducin Ve ge, across-section of'saiddis- `charge ve ectrode havingsaid edge corre- 'sponding to the apex ofan angle.

28. In the art 'of producing electrical pre- .cipitation of particlesfrom fluid or gaseous streams, means for producing an ionizing field,said means including lan element havlng a in a single vplane, a vcrosssection of the elen estbhshmg an lomzmg field between OP`dischargeproducing edge extending ment having-said edge corresponding tothe apex of an angle. Y 29. In the -art of` roducin electrical pre.-

cipitation of partie 1 sfrom uid or gaseous f-cstr'eams, means `forproducing an ionizingv 50 a single plane, a cross section of the elementfrom fluid Yor gaseous--streams-wh1ch conoffan angle not greater than arlght angle. i

field, said means includingan element having a discharge-producing edgeextending in havingsaid edge' corresponding to the apex 30. Thatimprovement in the art o roducing electrical precipitation of partlclessists in esta-b lis a plurality of individual ionizin -zones-in t e'fiowpathof -a stream with' t e lzone lengthfintersectin the flowpatli`,"'eachzone substantial continur Y k 31.V That improvement in theart of'pro-` electrical precipitation of particlesI dyand then Sub.-

`trode systen zones t Vionized into and through said ionization-f' "if-Q p separating and removing the-partinad,

1,343,2sa i in establishing-an ionization field within the flow path ofa stream, with the field formed A of a succession of individualionization zones extending angularto the direction of flow of thestream, each zone liavin substantially similar characteristics througout its length?M 32. That improvement in lthe art of producingelectrical lprecipitation of from fiuid or aseous streamswhich consistsVin establishing' a'n ionization field within the flow path of a,stream, .with the field -forme'd of a succession4 of` individualarticles g electrical discharge zones extending parallel to .each otherin directions intersecting the fiow path of the stream, each zonehavingsubstantially similar 'discharge characteristics'throughout its length.

33. That impro'vement'in the art of pro-` ducing electricalprecipitation of particles from Huid or gaseous streams which consistslin establishing an ionization fieldwithin the flow path of a stream,with the ieldi formed of a succession of individual electrical dis-v M'charge zones of high electrical potential ex-- tending parallel to eachother. in directions intersecting the flow path of thefstream, each zonehaving substantially similar discharge characteristics throughout itsvlength. Y 34. That improvement in the art of producing electrical.precipitationof partlcles from fluid or gaseous streams'which consistsin establishing an ionization field withintheflow path of a stream,with'the field formed of a successionV of individual electrical disfcharge' zones extending, parallelto each v other-.in directionsintersecting the flow ath of the stream, each zone having Substantlallysimilar. and constant dischargecharacteris` I tics throughout itslength.

' 35.4 That improvement ,in the art of proL l ducing electricalprecipitation/ of partlcles from fluid or gaseousstreams which consistsposing electrodesystems, the discharge elecplrcducin'g individualionizing p e eldwith the zones of definite] lengt and of similarcharacteristics thoughput their length, {andpassing a i the streamwhile'still ionized through an other Aionization field, in collecting'and separating the particles from the stream.

37;. The method l of removing rparticles from-fluid streams whichconsistsmdom'z ing the particles tobe removed with a charge sign similarto the sign of the discharging electrode of an ionization f ield," andthen-I introducing the stream contents while still cles from the stream.

duc" I y n frollduid orlstreams which consistsY 38. .That improvement`in the art of pro'- italo stream with the` zone length extendingangular to the. flow path, each zone being substantiallycontinuous inits length and having a constant distance betweenl its electrodes. s

sists in establishing a succession of individual ionizing zones ofsimilar characteristics in the fiow path` of a stream-With the zonelength extending angular to the flo'W path, each zone beingsubstantially continuous in- .,its length and having a constantdistanceAloe'tween its electrodes.

40'. That improvement inthe' art of producing electrical precipitationof particles from fluid or gaseous streams which con- I sists inestablishing an ionization field Withpath of a stream.

in thefiow path of a stream, with the field formed of a succession ofsimilar individual ionization zones extending angular tothe direction offiow of the stream, each zone having' substantially similarcharacteristics throuohout its length:

41. qI'hat 'improvement in the. art of producing electricalprecipitation i of particlesfrom fluid or gaseous streams which consistsinestablishing a succession of individual ionizing dischargezones Withinthe flow 42. That improvement in the art-of producing' electricalprecipitation of partlcles from hud or gaseous streams which consists in'establishing a succession of individual ionizing discharge zoneswithinthe flow path of a stream, the zones extendingin paral-H" lelism.''s

43. That improvement'in theA art of producing electrical precipitationof. partlcles Y from fluid or .gaseous streams'wlnch consists inestablishing 'a succession of individ' precipitation of particles Jfromfluid or gascous streams,` opposing electrode systems e adapted toproduce an ionization field l39.. That improvement in the art of profA'ducing electrical precipitation of particles from fiuid or gaseousstreams which coneous streams, opposing electrode 'systens adapted tolproduce. an ionization fieldthere between, one of said systemscomprising disl. charge-producing Aele1nents,.`said discharge .systemcomprising a plurality of parallel ldischarge-producing elementsopposingan electrode face of the opposing system.

46. In the art oi' electrically producing precipitation of particlesfrom fluidpr gaseous streams, opposing electrode systems adapted toproduce an ionization field therebetween, on of said systems comprisingdis# charge-pro uclng elements, said dlscharge system comprising aplurality of parallel discharge-producing elements located on a commonplane and opposing an electrode face of the opposing system.

47. An apparatus for electric separation l i of suspended matter jromgaseous fluids, comprising a longitudinal ionizing part, a chargingelectrode and a collecting field-.surface member havinga field-surfacesubstantially parallel to said longitudinal ionizing part.

27th day of February, 1913.' WALTER A. SCHMIDT.

' A. P. KNIGHT.

l V iss t In testimony whereof, I have hereunto setl myhand at LosAngeles, California, this

